Fast-rising Kenyan comedian Nick Chege alias Kartelo was barred from appearing on the Chipukeezy Show over his alleged reluctance to promote Ebru TV’s census campaigns, the station has clarified.
In a statement, Ebru TV’s management asserted that Kartelo was not an employee of the station and was only contracted as an in-house influencer to promote the station’s campaign.
Ebru claims that Kartelo negated on the deal and after subsequent reminders on the matter, Chipukeezy, the host, was asked not to allow Kartelo on the show.
“As part of the census campaign, we asked our in-house influencers to push the census campaign for us on social media. We gave him the videos to post on social media pages this was not done to our satisfaction.
“Seeing that Kartlelo had built an audience, we contracted him to do so at a fee which he agreed to and signed a contract to which he was paid. On the 20th of August, Kartelo shot videos which were done at Ebru.
"We gave him the videos to post on his social media platforms, this was not done to our satisfaction. Hence the email that was sent to Chipukeezy on Thursday 22,” read the statement in part.
The management reiterated that the station had no issues with Chipukeezy as of August 23 despite, as they stated, an uneasy relationship of over one and a half years.
“We need to clarify that Kartelo was not an employee of Ebru Television and he was not in the payroll either. The only official agreement that the station had with Kartelo is on a census campaign.
"The honorary agreement with Chipukeezy availed the opportunity for Kartelo to be a regular guest on his show as well as relied solely and full-on their ability to leverage their performances on TV, as well as on-line platforms and help promote Ebru and its partnerships, which are vital to Ebru’s growth and sustainability
“Please note that as of August 23, 2019, we did not have any issues with The Chipukeezy Show and was to go on as normal. Ebru did not terminate Kartelo for what Chipukeezy claims as ‘ghetto-ness’ but we no longer wanted to work with him which is our right as the management of Ebru,” added the station's management.
Announcing his resignation from Ebru on Monday, Chipukeezy claimed that he was asked to cut ties with Kartelo over the shows perceived ‘ghettoness’ following the upcoming comedian’s input.
“Hey, guys... A quick one. So I received an email from Ebru TV asking me to terminate my agreement and Collaboration with Kartelo on my show. They say they are a bit concerned that the show has become a bit Ghetto because of the many Youths (Upcoming Musicians and Comedians) on the show.
“They requested that we try and change the format a little bit. Maybe interview more politicians and a few Corporate Executives. For as much as I respect their request or rather decision, I would like to categorically state that I feel my calling and mission could just be the exact opposite,” Chipukeezy wrote on Instagram.
